Foldable container

ABSTRACT

A foldable container having a partitioned interior is provided which is formed from a pair of blanks of foldable sheet material. The interior of the container is partitioned so as to form a plurality of article-accommodating compartments.

United States Patent Manis et al. [45] J 21, 1975 [54] FOLDABLE CONTAINER 2,496,755 2/1950 Schwartzberl 229/28 R x 2,515,151 7/1950 Crane 229/28 BC [75] Inventors- Charles M Charles 2,599,800 1/1952 Wolfe 229/28 R x of 1411111810111 2,693,308 11/1954 Giroux et al. 229/28 R 2,693,309 11/1954 Giroux et al. 229/28 R [73 1 Asslgnee' 3222a? lcnorporat'on 2,941,709 6/1960 Plevyak 229/14 C 3,006,529 10/1961 Richardson 229/28 R [22] Filed: Jan. 24, 1973 3,283,950 11/1966 Bolding 229/28 BC x 3,307,767 3/1967 Humphrey et al. 229/23 R X [21] Appl. No.: 326,371

Primary Examiner--Davis T. Moorhead [52] US. Cl. 229/23 R, 229/28 R, 229/14 c 51 1111. c1 B65d 13/00 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 229/23, 28 R, 28 BC, 29 D, A foldable container having a partitioned interior is 229/39 R, 42, 14 H, 14 C; 206/174 provided'which is formed from a pair of blanks of foldable sheet material. The interior of the container [56] References Cited is partitioned so as to form a plurality of ar1iclc- UNITED STATES PATENTS accommodating compartments.

2,100,711 11/1937 12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Drake 229/23 R PATENTED JANZ] 19. 5

SHEET 10F 4 FIG.'IO

' FIG. ll

PATENTEDJANZ 1 I975 3.861.579 SHEEI 20F 4 FIG. 2

PIC-7.3

PATENTED SHEET 3 BF 4 FOLDABLE CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various partitioned containers have heretofore been provided which, because of certain design features, are beset with one or more of the following shortcomings: (a) numerous blanks of complex configuration are required to set up the container, thereby creating an inventory problem; (b) the blanks are of such configuration that they are difficult to form using high speed, conventional slotting, slitting and scoring equipment; (c) an inordinate amount of material waste is produced during formation of the blanks; ((1) special tools and equipment are required for setting up the container; and (e) the container fails to provide effective protection for the accommodated articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a partitioned container which is not beset with the shortcomings associated with prior structures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a partitioned container which does not require a manufacturers glue joint when the container is set up.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a partitioned container which is of sturdy and inexpensive construction and is capable of effectively accom- .modating a variety of articles.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a foldable container having a partitioned interior is provided which is formed from two blanks of sheet material. The container includes foldably connected upright side and end walls, and first panels connected to the lower edges of the side walls. The first panels are folded inwardly so as to form an outer bottom which is delimited by the upright side and end walls. A sectional first partition extends upright from the outer bottom and is spaced from and substantially parallel to the side walls. The sections forming the first partition are foldably connected to the outer bottom-forming panels. At least one of the sections of the firstpartition is provided with a flap which is folded transversely of the first partition so as to form a second partition. Second panels are connected to the lower edges of the end walls and are folded inwardly so as to overlie the outer bottomforming first panels. Third panels are foldably connected to the second panels and form third upright partitions which are disposed transversely of the first partition and on opposite sides of the second partition. Fourth panels are foldably connected to the upper edges of the end walls and are folded inwardly and downwardly so as to interlockingly engage the upright first partition. A frame member is formed from one of the blanks and is provided with foldably connected upright wall segments. The wall segments interlockingly engage the upright partitions and are spaced inwardly from the side and end walls. The partitions and the frame member cooperate with one another to form a plurality of contiguous article-accommodating compartments.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof one form of the improved container shown in a fully set up condition and with portions of the closure flaps removed so as to expose the partitioned interior of the container;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the primary blank used in forming the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing a secondary blank used in forming the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of the primary blank of FIG. 2 showing the panels connected to the lower edges of the end walls in their initially folded positions;

FIGS. 5-9 are perspective views showing the primary blank of FIG. 4 in successive stages of set up to form the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. is a perspective top view of the secondary blank of FIG. 3 shown set up and ready to be inserted into the interior of the fully set up primary blank of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of the container of FIG. I showing the top closure flaps thereof open and with the primary and secondary blanks set up and in assembled relation and with the compartments ready for loading.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 11, one embodiment of a partitioned container is shown which is adapted to be formed from primary and secondary blank P and S, respectively shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Container 20 is provided with opposing side walls 21 and 22 and opposing end walls 23 and 24 which are foldably connected to one another. The side and end walls extend upwardly from and delimit an outer bottom 25. The outer bottom 25 is formed by a pair of panels 26 and 27 which are connected to the lower edges of side walls 21 and 22, respectively. The panels are folded inwardly towards one another so as to be in substantially coplanar relation.

Foldably connected to the inner edges of panels 26 and 27 are panels 28 and 30, respectively, which cooperate with one another to form a sectional or composite first partition 31. The partition extends upwardly from the outer bottom 25 and is spaced substantially equidistant from and substantially parallel to the side walls 21 and 22. Panels 28-30 are provided with flaps 32 and 33 which are adapted to be folded transversely in opposite directions so as to form a second upright partition 34. It will be noted in the illustrated embodiment that the flap 32 or 33 in each instance is spaced from the ends of the respective panel 28 or 30, thus, each panel has a narrow end portion 28a or 300, see FIG. 11. The flaps 32 and 33 are disposed in substantially coplanar relation. If desired, however, only one of the panels 28 or may be provided with a flap, or in certain instances. the flaps 28 and 30 may be eliminated entirely. Furthermore, it is not essential that flaps 28 and 30 be arranged in coplanar relation.

Second partition 34, in the illustrated embodiment, is disposed substantially equidistant from the end walls 23 and 24.

Foldably connected to the lower edges of end walls 23 and 24 are panels 35 and 36, respectively, which are folded inwardly so as to overlie the outer bottom panels 26 and 27. To the inwardly disposed edges of the panels 35 and 36 are foldably connected panels 37 and 38, respectively, which are adapted to extend upwardly so as to form partitions 40 and 41, see FIG. 11.

Each combination of panels 35-37 and 36-38 is provided with an elongated slot 42 or 43 closed at opposite ends. A portion of each slot extends into both panels comprising the combination. The slots 42 and 43 are sized so as to accommodate and interlock with the adjacent ends of the first partition 31 when the container is set up.

It will be noted in FIGS. 2 and 4 that the elongated edges of panels 28 and 30 are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, open end slots 42a, b, and c and 43a, b, and c. The function of these slots will be described more fully hereinafter. Flaps 32 and 33 are also provided with open end slots 44 and 45. In a similar manner, panels 37 and 38 are provided with pairs of open end slots 46 and 47.

Slots 42b and 43b are adapted to interlock with the portions of the slots 42 and 43 extending into panels 37 and 38, respectively, when the container is set up, see FIG. 8. Slots 42a, 420, 43a, 43c, 44, 45, 46, and 47 are adapted to interlockingly engage the slotted underside of the frame member 48, see FIG. 10, when the latter is assembled within the container. It should be noted that slots 42a and c, and 43a and c are of greater width than the remaining slots because of the fact that said slots must accommodate a double thickness of blank material when the container components are assembled.

As noted in FIG. 2, end walls 23 and 24 have, respectively, panels 50 and S1 foldably connected to the upper edges thereof. Each panel 50 or 51 is of like construction and includes an elongated narrow first portion 50a or 51a and a slotted second portion 50b or 51b foldably connected thereto. When the container is set up, the panels 50 and 51 are folded inwardly and then downwardly so that portions 50a and 51a will be horizontally disposed and portions 50b and lb will extend downwardly in spaced substantially parallel relation with respect to the adjacent end walls.

Each panel second portion 50b or 51b is provided with a pair of outer elongated open end slots 52 which are adapted to accommodate the upper portions of the frame member 48 when the container is set up, see FIGS. 9 and 11. A center slot 53 is also provided which is adapted to interlock with the slots 42a and c and 43a and 0 formed, respectively, in panels 28 and 30. The tongue-like portions 37a and 38a formed in each panels portion 37 and 38 serve as spacers between the side walls 21 and 22 and the adjacent segments of the frame member.

The frame member 48, as seen in FIG. includes a plurality of wall segments 54, 55, 56, and 57 which are foldably interconnected and delimit an area which is concentric with, but smaller than the area delimited by the side and end walls. In the illustrated embodiment, segments 54 and 56 are disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation with respect to adjacent side walls 21 and 22, and in a like manner segments 55 and 57 and end walls 23 and 24 are so disposed. The lower edges of the wall segments 54-57 are provided with a plurality of open end slots 54a, b, 0, 55a, 56a, b, and c, and 57a. Slots 54a and 56a are adapted to interlock with slots 46 of panel 37; slots 54b and 56b are adapted to interlock, respectively, with slot 44 of flap 32 and slot 45 of flap 33; and slots 54c and 560 are adapted to interlock with slots 47 of panel 38. The slots 55a and 57a of segments 55 and 57 are adapted to interlock, respectively, with slots 42c and 43a and with slots 42a and 430. Slots 55a and 57a have greater width than the remaining slots because of the fact that each slot 55a or 570 is adapted to accommodate double thickness of the blank material.

It will be noted in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 that each blank P or S is provided with a pair of locking tabs 60a and b and 61a and b foldably connected at opposite ends of the blanks. The locking tabs may be substituted for the conventional manufacturer glue flaps and, thus, no gluing, stapling or the like is re quired in setting up the container.

The primary blank P may be provided with top closure flaps 62 and 63 which are foldably connected to the upper edges of side walls 21 and 22, see FIG. 2. The closure flaps are preferably of such size and shape that they completely close offthe top ofthe container. Ifdesired, a separate, flat insert piece 64 may be positioned directly beneath the folded closure flaps. The length of piece 64 may correspond to the spacing between the downwardly disposed panel portions 50b and 51b and the width may correspond to the spacing between the side walls 21 and 22. The insert piece 64 may be readily omitted, if desired.

In setting up the illustrated embodiment of the im proved container 20, the following steps should be followed:

a. Panels 35 and 36 of the primary blank P should be folded about the foldlines 65 and 66, which connect said panels to their respective end walls 23 and 24, so that the panels 35 and 36 and the rcspective panels 37 and 38 connected thereto will overlie the interior surfaces of the end walls, see FIG. 4.

b. The side wall 21 and the bottom-forming panel 26,

partition-forming panels 28 and 32, and the closure flap 62 carried thereby are folded as a unit about a foldline 67 as an axis so as to assume a right angle with respect to end wall 24. In a similar manner, side wall 22 and the end wall 23 and associate panels are folded as a unit about foldline 68 as an axis so that the two side walls 21 and 22 assume substantially parallel relation, see FIG. 5. Foldline 68 connects end wall 24 and side wall 22, see FIG. 2. Once the side walls are in spaced, parallel relation, end wall 23 and the panels 35 and 37 connected thereto are folded toa right angle position relative to side wall 22, whereby locking tabs 60a and 60b are manipulated into interlocking relation, see FIG. 5.

d. Bottom-forming panels 26 and 27 are then folded inwardly towards one another while partitionforming panels 28 and 30 and the respective flaps 32 and 33 are brought into face-to-face relation and moved upwardly so as to form the elongated longitudinally extending partition 31. With the panels so disposed, slots 42b and 43b formed therein face upwardly and accommodate the partition-forming panels 38 and 37, respectively, see FIG. 8. The depth of slots 42b and 43b and the length of the portions of slots 42 and 43 extending in panels 37 and 38 enable the panels to have a height substantially equal to that of side walls 21 and 22.

e. Flaps 32 and 33 of panels 28 and 30, respectively,

are manipulated in opposite directions so as to assume right angles to the center partition 31, see FIG. 8. Once the flaps 32 and 33 have assumed their proper angular positions, the slots 44 and 45 in the flaps 32 and 33 are longitudinally aligned with the corresponding slots 46 and 47 formed in panels and 36.

f. Once the slots are in proper alignment, frame'member 48, in the set up condition as shown in FIG. 10, is inserted into the container interior whereby the slots provided in the underside of the frame member will interlock with the corresponding slots provided in the partitions so that a plurality'of articleaccommodating compartments are formed which are arranged in two parallel rows of four compartments each. The number, size and shape of the compartments may be varied from that shown, if desired. It is important to note that the segments 54-57 of frame member 48 are spaced inwardly a like amount from the adjacent side and end walls.

g. Following positioning of the frame member, the panels 50 and 51 connected to the upper edges of end walls 23 and 24, are folded inwardly so that the panel portions 50a and 51a assume horizontal positions and the panel portions 50b and 51b assume vertical overlying face-to-face positions relative to the wall segments 57 and 55, respectively, see FIGS. 9 and 11.

h. If an insert piece 64 is to be used, it is then placed over the upper ends of the compartments, subsequent to the latter being filled, and then the closure flaps 62 and 63 are folded inwardly into overlying relation with respect to the insert piece, see FIG. 1. Suitable means, such as tape or the like may be used to retain the closure flaps in their folded positions.

It will be noted that the foregoing folding procedure may be accomplished manually without requiring special tools or the like. Furthermore, utilizing only two blanks, namely, the primary and secondary blanks P and S greatly simplifies the inventory situation. The

double side and end walls produced by the wall seg-' an outer bottom delimited by said side and end walls;

a sectional partition extending upright from said outer bottom and spaced from said side walls, sections of said partition being connected to said first panels, second panels connected to lower portion of said end walls and folded into overlying relation with said first panels; third panels connected'to said second panels and forming upright partitions disposed transversely of said first mentioned partition, fourth panels connected to the upper portion of said end walls and folded inwardly and downwardly and having portions thereof spaced from the interior surface of said end walls and interlockingly engaging said first mentioned partition; and a separate frame member formed from one of said blanks and having foldably connected upright wall segments spaced inwardly from said side and end walls and interlockingly engaging said upright partitions; said frame member and said partitions cooperating to form a plurality of contiguous article-accommodating compartments within the container interior.

2. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sections of the first mentioned partition is provided with a foldable flap forming an upright partition disposed transversely of said first mentioned partition.

3. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein said side walls are of like configuration and have greater width than said end walls and the latter are of like configuration.

4. The foldable container of claim 2 wherein the partition formed by said foldable flap is disposed substantially equidistant from said end walls.

5. The foldable container of claim 4 wherein the first mentioned transverse partitions are disposed on opposite sides of the partition formed by said foldable flap and substantially equidistant therefrom.

6. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein both sections of said first mentioned partition have foldable flaps extending transversely from opposite sides thereof, said foldable flaps being disposed in substantially coplanar relation.

7. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein closure flaps are foldably connected to the upper edge portions of said side walls and extend inwardly and close the top of said container.

8. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein said frame member is formed from one blank and the remainder of said container is formed from a second blank.

9. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein said article-accommodating compartments are arranged in parallel rows and extend substantially the full height of said container.

10. A pair of blanks for forming a foldable container wherein the latter is provided with side and end walls delimiting a bottom, and a plurality of partitions forming the interior of the container into a plurality of article-accommodating compartments; the first of said blanks comprising a pair of side wall panels and a pair of end wall panels alternately arranged in side-by-side relation and foldably connected thereto, first bottom panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said side wall panels, first partition panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said first bottom panels, at least one of said first partition panels being provided with a flap foldable about a foldline transversely disposed with respect to the connection between said first bottom panel and said first partition panel, second bottom panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said end wall panels, second partition panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said second bottom panels, each second bottom panel being provided with an elongated closed end slot extending transversely of the connection between said end wall panel and said second bottom panel, said slot extending the full length of said second bottom panel and terminating within said second partition panel, the lower edges of said first and second partition panels being provided with a plurality of openend slots, and spacer panels foldably connected to the upper edges of said end wall panels, each spacer panel having a foldline disposed in spaced parallel relation with respect to the connection between said end wall panel and said spacer panel, the upper edge of each spa'cer panel being provided with a plurality of open-end slots; the second of said blanks comprising a plurality of foldably connected wall segments arranged in side-by-side relation, one pair of alternate wall segments having the width thereof less than the width of the side wall panels of said first blank, and a second pair of alternate wall segments having a width less than the width of the end wall panels of said first blank; the lower edges of said wall segments being provided with a plurality of open-end slots; the slots of said blanks being adapted to interlock with one another when said blanks are set up to form said container.

11. The pair of blanks of claim 10 wherein the upper other when said first blank is set up. 

1. A foldable container formed from two blanks of sheet material, comprising foldably connected upright side and end walls; first panels connected to the lower portion of said side walls and folded inwardly forming an outer bottom delimited by said side and end walls; a sectional partition extending upright from said outer bottom and spaced from said side walls, sections of said partition being connected to said first panels, second panels connected to lower portion of said end walls and folded into overlying relation with said first panels; third panels connected to said second panels and forming upright partitions disposed transversely of said first mentioned partition, fourth panels connected to the upper portion of said end walls and folded inwardly and downwardly and having portions thereof spaced from the interior surface of said end walls and interlockingly engaging said first mentioned partition; and a separate frame member formed from one of said blanks and having foldably connected upright wall segments spaced inwardly from said side and end walls and interlockingly engaging said upright partitions; said frame member and said partitions cooperating to form a plurality of contiguous article-accommodating compartments within the container interior.
 2. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sections of the first mentioned partition is provided with a foldable flap forming an upright partition disposed transversely of said first mentioned partition.
 3. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein said side walls are of like configuration and have greater width than said end walls and the latter are of like configuration.
 4. The foldable container of claim 2 wherein the partition formed by said foldable flap is disposed substantially equidistant from said end walls.
 5. The foldable container of claim 4 wherein the first mentioned transverse partitions are disposed on opposite sides of the partition formed by said foldable flap and substantially equidistant therefrom.
 6. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein both sections of said first mentioned partition have foldable flaps extending transversely from opposite sides thereof, said foldable flaps being disposed in substantially coplanar relation.
 7. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein closure flaps are foldably connected to the upper edge portions of said side walls and extend inwardly and close the top of said container.
 8. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein said frame member is formed from one blank and the remainder of said container is formed from a second blank.
 9. The foldable container of claim 1 wherein said article-accommodating compartments are arranged in parallel rows and extend substantially the full height of said container.
 10. A pair of blanks for forming a foldable container wherein the latter is provided with side and end walls delimiting a bottom, and a plurality of partitions forming the interior of the container into a plurality of article-accommodatiNg compartments; the first of said blanks comprising a pair of side wall panels and a pair of end wall panels alternately arranged in side-by-side relation and foldably connected thereto, first bottom panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said side wall panels, first partition panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said first bottom panels, at least one of said first partition panels being provided with a flap foldable about a foldline transversely disposed with respect to the connection between said first bottom panel and said first partition panel, second bottom panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said end wall panels, second partition panels foldably connected to the lower edges of said second bottom panels, each second bottom panel being provided with an elongated closed end slot extending transversely of the connection between said end wall panel and said second bottom panel, said slot extending the full length of said second bottom panel and terminating within said second partition panel, the lower edges of said first and second partition panels being provided with a plurality of openend slots, and spacer panels foldably connected to the upper edges of said end wall panels, each spacer panel having a foldline disposed in spaced parallel relation with respect to the connection between said end wall panel and said spacer panel, the upper edge of each spacer panel being provided with a plurality of open-end slots; the second of said blanks comprising a plurality of foldably connected wall segments arranged in side-by-side relation, one pair of alternate wall segments having the width thereof less than the width of the side wall panels of said first blank, and a second pair of alternate wall segments having a width less than the width of the end wall panels of said first blank; the lower edges of said wall segments being provided with a plurality of open-end slots; the slots of said blanks being adapted to interlock with one another when said blanks are set up to form said container.
 11. The pair of blanks of claim 10 wherein the upper edges of the side wall panels of said first blank have closure flaps foldably connected thereto.
 12. The pair of blanks of claim 9 wherein said first blank is provided with a pair of peripheral tabs, one of said tabs being disposed on one side of said first blank and foldably connected to an end wall panel and the other of said tabs being disposed on the opposite side of said first blank; said tabs interlocking with one another when said first blank is set up. 